VIEWS OF A FARMER

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 138, 11 June 1912, Page 3

VIEWS OF A FARMER

EFFECT OF LABOUR LEGISLATION. [BY TELEGSAPII— SPECIAL 'XO THE JfOSX.] CHRISTCHURCH, 10th June. The most interesting witness before the Cost of Living Commission to-day waa Mr. C. H. Eneor, a, well-known North Canterbury farmer. He referred fiiet to the increase in land valuee. The increase in the cost of town lands increased the cost of living. The first charge on wages was rent. The unimproved value in the central ward in the last ten years had increased by £1,287.323, raising the cost of distribution and living. The Government had intensified th© effect by_ building workmen's cottages in cities instead of putting, them on producing areas. A tailor was in part a manufacturer, but the driver was a, distributor and an extra link in tho chain. Thero were too many extra links in the chain. A man paid not only rent of his own house, but a share of the rent of the shops at which he purchased goods. Rural land was valued at its producing capabilities, but the increase in its value did not increase the cost of living. Two factor* had increased tho price of the rural lands — the freezing works, allowing the produce # to compete in the world's markets, and the cheap money. Tho export of mutton had not caused a rise in the cost of living. In 1899 the market prices for sheep "were*. — Prime wethers 16s to 24s 6d, ewes 11s to 14s 7d ; 1902, wethors 17e to 19s 6d, ewes 16s to 18s 4d : 1906, wethers 17s to 24e, ewes los to 18s 9d ; 1912, wethere 18s to 255, owes 16s to 24s 6d. On his own farm ho had for eleven years supplied mutton to his men at'2£d per lb. The cost of transport from his station to Addington market was*2d per sheep. Labour legislation had its effect. Farmers were afraid to plant perishable crope. Tho grainproducing area had decreased. The Chairman : What particular Act has caused this? The witness replied that there was no particular Act; it was the trend of affairs. Land was 6carce. Wheat had kept its place; it was high-priced, and farmers would" plant it* then a.nd chanoe the consequences. Labour legislation did rtot stimulate the production of perishable goods. He admitted that many farmers stopped cropping to take up dairy farming, whicn was more profitable. He advocated the building of workers' homes on the producing area. He would give a worker freehold land if the Government would establish a scheme for th© erection of 'the cottages. The Chairman : Would you keep the land yourself? The witness said he might give half the value. He added that if there was more labour — reliable labour — in the country the production in Canterbury could be greatly increased. Farmers would crop to a larger extent. The great factor in the cost of living was> the cost of distribution. , A bushel of wheat left the producer costing 3s 6d. and reached the consumer with tho price doubled. *Mx. Ensor went on to advocate the establishment bf co-operative stores in various localities, which, he said, would regulate prices.